Local defensive strategies against 'wildlife damage to crops' by Ari People: a case of human-wildlife conflict in Mago National Park, Southwestern Ethiopia

摘要

In many parts of Africa, crop-raiding by wild animals has given rise to a signifi cant confl ict between local communities and wildlife conservation activists. The objective of this paper is to describe some of the defensive strategies adopted by the locals against the "damage" caused by wild animals from the perspective of historical interactions between local people and wildlife. This is achieved by analyzing the case of Mago National Park in southwestern Ethiopia. Further, the study examines the transition of these strategies after the implementation of the wildlife conservation policy. The results indicate that rodents, primates, and ungulates are the most serious causes of damage to agricultural crops, and that some carnivores create problems for livestock in K village, adjoining the National Park. The following aspects were observed: two types of coping strategies implemented by the farmers; direct measures followed by each household to ward off wild animals, such as guarding the fi elds, chasing away any wild animals spotted in the fi elds, and snaring; and indirect measures, such as rituals, that were performed within the community. While these coping strategies helped to reduce the damage, they also increased the tolerance level of the damage. Prior to the establishment of the Park, the Ari people had developed different forms of coping strategies by establishing a direct and concrete relationship with the wild animals. However, when the government intensifi ed the regulation, the Ari people began to request damage compensation from wildlife personnel and local government offi cials who have the authority to manage the Park.